Who else is obsessed with the Olympics? Watching the US women’s gymnastics team (go Gabby!) was the push I needed to get my butt back to yoga, after years of saying, “I need to get back to yoga.”

I’m finishing week two of near-daily 6 a.m. classes and I love it. I am not a morning person, but I discovered that if I get up as soon as the alarm goes off, throw on my yoga clothes, and head straight out the door – no snooze button, coffee, twitter, or other procrastination – the morning is not so bad.

This routine requires extra preparation, especially combined with biking to work. I bike to the studio on the way to work wearing my yoga outfit (Lululemon’s yoga clothes are so expensive, but soooo perfect!). After class, I shower at the studio and change into regular shorts and a t-shirt, since my yoga clothes are too sweaty to put back on and I get too sweaty on my bike right now to wear work clothes. Finally, I bike the rest of the way to work and change into my work clothes. I swear, this is not as complicated as it sounds. Totally worth the extra effort for the wonderful feeling I get from yoga class.

Do you have a yoga or other exercise routine that you combine with your bike commute? I’m interested to hear how others handle the logistics.

I prefer to keep my work shoes under my desk, especially during the summer when my feet sweat. Last summer I spent a lot of time biking in Keen Commuter sandals or regular slip-on sneakers. This summer, I wanted casual shoes that could also look stylish. I chose Bensimon Tennis Laclets (aka the French Converse) and I like them a lot.

These sneakers are easy to slip on and off – I never have to mess with the laces. They are also breathable and very lightweight. The only downside is the thin soles. I would not wear them for a lot of walking before adding a gel insole, but happily that is not an issue when bicycling.

I’ve been wearing them a lot and I like how they dress down and lighten up my regular outfits.

What kind of shoes do you like for summer bicycling? Anyone else wear Bensimons? :-)

I met Sheena last fall and was interested to learn that she is an LGRAB reader but does not ride a bike. While she was an avid bicyclist as a teen, she transitioned to driving – like most teens – once she got her license. Now practical considerations (safety, storage, commuting distance) keep her off the bike.

I think Sheena is a great example of the type of person planners and advocates should keep mind: she would like to ride a bike and is attracted to the idea of transportation cycling, at least for short trips, but will only do so if she views it as safe, convenient, and practical. I am interested in exploring this more, so I asked Sheena if she would answer some questions and she graciously agreed.

First, tell us a little about yourself and your commute.

Hi! My name is Sheena. I recently received my MA in advertising and now work as an Interactive Project Manager . I live in the Western Suburbs, about 10 miles outside of Chicago. I currently work downtown and I commute via Metra train on most days.

What is your history with bicycling?

Biking was my main mode of transportation when I was a teen. I grew up a bit further out and lived near quite a few biking trails, so that was a popular activity when I was younger. We’d compete with one another by racing up steep hills without trying to fall. We’d also set records for each other to see who could bike the furthest in a day—without getting in trouble for leaving town.

When did you stop bicycling and why?

Pretty much the moment I got my first car at 16. I was the first in my group of friends to get a car, but everyone else did soon after. Biking to the local mall was less attractive when you had a car and we were able to go further distances. Basically, biking was no longer convenient for us anymore and unfortunately we did not retain biking as a hobby.

What keeps you from bicycling now?

I’d say the lack of being able to use it as a commuting vehicle. I think that if I lived in the city, it’d be much easier for me to bicycle and get around. Biking into the city from the suburbs would obviously be difficult. When I’m not taking the train to work, I mostly drive if I’m around in the suburbs or walk around my own neighborhood. Couple the lack of opportunities to ride a bike with lack of place to store a bike, and it’s been hard for me to justify buying a bike.

When I do have the inkling to ride, I always look into renting a bike for a daytrip along the lakefront, which makes me nostalgic for my earlier biking days. It’s still an activity that I enjoy and it brings me to a different place.

What are the top two things the city could do to help make bicycling more viable to you?

1. I’d say safety. Yes, I understand the city has come a long way, but I’ve seen more bike riders hit by cars than I’d care to. I look to blogs (like Let’s Go Ride a Bike) for tips and to learn more about advocacy, but I think the city can do a bit more to ensure safety for bikers.

2. More advocacy. This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the safety issue, but this is a huge driving city or public transportation city. While both of those options are fine, I think the city could do more to encourage the more reluctant population to bike to work by naming incentives and the benefits of doing so.

Earlier you mentioned that lack of bicycle storage is a hurdle for you. Could you talk about that?

Yes, lack of storage for my bicycle is a huge issue. I live on the top floor of a smaller apartment with no basement storage. Since my apartment is smaller inside, there really is very little room for me to place a bike and it’s looked down upon for us to hang anything if I wanted to. I’d consider a bike to be an important investment, so I’d want to make sure I could store it in a safe place.

How did you come upon Let’s Go Ride a Bike and what do you get from reading it?

I love reading blogs, especially Chicago-based blogs. This is pretty much my go-to blog to read about cycling, biking tips and learning about the bicycling community. While I’ve seen people cycling in regular clothes, I had not previously found any tips that cover the topic like this blog. Plus, I love the idea of seeing a community of passionate bicyclers who share their stories and view biking as much more than a hobby.

{Thanks so much to Sheena for answering our questions! I might have to start grilling everyone I know who does not bike.}

The worst part of my bike commute today in 96 degrees and high humidity? The pungent smell coming from trash bins as I rode down my alley and by others. Oh, the humanity! The smell wrapped itself around me in a most unpleasing manner. The trash was not messing around. Unfortunately, it’s hard to avoid breathing while bicycling.

The smelly did not stop there. Although not nearly as bad (seriously, not anywhere close!), the gym clothes that I wore and sweated in during my morning ride were a little rank when I pulled them out of my cabinet at the end of the day. Not fun to have to put them back on. Darn polyester.

Chicago’s Bike to Work Week took place last week, with Friday as the grand finale “Bike to Work Day” and a big rally downtown. I had an early meeting and could not attend. I simply celebrated by … biking to work. Imagine that.

Biking to work

The day was a little special, incidentally, because I met up with my friend Elizabeth for the morning ride to work. We took the most direct, major route, which is not so bad in the morning. There was plenty of opportunity for chatting.

Elizabeth in the morning

In the evening, Mr. Dottie happened to be leaving work the same time as me, a rare occurrence, so we met up for bike home together.

Mr. Dottie in the evening

I made him take my quiet side street route and he thought it was more stressful than the busy-but-direct route. He reasoned that all he had to do on the busy route was stay straight and stop for stoplights, while on the twisty side street route, there was a lot of turning, plus potential car conflicts at every block in the form of four-way-stop intersections. I can see where he’s coming from – cars have a tendency to “not see” bikes at those intersections – but I am more stressed by what I cannot control on the busy route: cars barreling behind me at a fast speed and parked car doors flinging open.

Interesting to consider the choices through someone else’s perspective. What kind of situation do you think is more stressful?

You know how the right outfit has the power to brighten your day and make the world a more fun place to live? If no, you should probably skip this vapid post. If so – yeah! totally!

I wore this Kate Spade ensemble to work last week, which of course involved nearly ten miles of bicycling. And I felt so super happy the entire time, la la la lalalalaaaa. *birds chirping* A bonus is that drivers might be nicer to me dressed like this (Mary Poppins Effect), if they take a moment to glance up from their iPhones.

I am usually a thrift store lady, but I am admittedly attracted to a few different designers. Not that I pay full price! Goodness, no! But I am a seasoned clearance stalker and when this Kate Spade dress popped up for 1/3 of the original price, I was so there.

Luckily, the weather was not too hot and humid – I’d hate to sweat all over this dress’s lovely lining (’cause I sweat like a piglet). Tip time! Did you notice the socklette peeking from my mary janes? I buy those from the drugstore and they keep my feet from getting sweaty-stinky. ;)

I also wore my Nutcase helmet, not pictured because I won’t pretend I think helmets improve on a look. Oh! But you know what helmet would have been spectacular with this dress (if you’re into that kind of thing!):

The cool breezes of Lake Michigan lured me to the lakefront trail yesterday morning. Freedom from the stifling heat of car exhaust and crazy drivers, I relaxed and enjoyed the beauty around me.

These pictures are from this great old Polaroid Land Camera 250. Very fun to play with. :)

In the evening, I took city streets, where I witnessed a scene that first had me flaming mad and then had me cheering.

As I waited at a red light at a crowded intersection, a driver in a fancy SUV was turning left and inching into a crosswalk as a mother with a baby carriage crossed with the walk signal. The mother was saying something to the driver that I could not hear, probably like, “Excuse me, I have the walk sign and I’m here with my baby.” The driver responded by HONKING his horn, right in the baby’s face! The mother did not budge and the driver then stepped on the gas to lurch forward and psych out the mother, who was standing no more than two feet away WITH HER BABY CARRIAGE! (Who are these horrible people???) As soon as she moved away, the driver sped down the street…

…for about 3 seconds. A police SUV, which was two cars behind the offending SUV, immediately went after it with lights and sirens. As a biked by, the SUV was pulled over and two police officers were exiting their vehicle. The scene was so beautiful, I could have wept. KARMA!

I think the driver should have been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, but at the very least I hope he or she received a citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Drivers need to know that they cannot get away with criminal behavior simply because they are surrounded by a ton of metal!

Today was a beautiful day. One of the most beautiful of the year. The sunshine and blue skies and flowers and fresh air all made me remember how wonderful living in this world can be, on the right kind of day.

I rode my bike more than usual and I was thankful for the opportunity. In the morning I had to be far downtown for a seminar, so I took the Lakefront Trail for 45 refreshing minutes. A few hours later in the early afternoon, I got to enjoy the outdoors again as I biked from there to my office. While co-workers jumped in a cab, I couldn’t resist stopping by the Lurie Botanical Gardens in Millennium Park on my bike.

I wore one of the skirts I thrifted this weekend for $2. I enjoy wearing flowers in the springtime, although I know my fabric cannot compete with nature’s beauty.

The Lurie Garden is an almost miraculous spot in the middle of downtown Chicago. There is a glorious juxtaposition of nature and city. The skyscrapers are a sight to behold, hovering over the flower beds.

Getting down to the ground level and smelling the blossoms takes me back to my mom’s garden, growing up in North Carolina.

Then I stand up and see the architectural marvel of the Pritzker Pavilion, backed by the Aon Center and the Watertower antennas. Ah yes, Chicago!

I lack the green thumb of my mother, so this guide identifying the different flowers in the garden at this time of year was helpful.

This bird in the tree was making a fuss about me taking its picture. Very loud. Camera shy.

At the end of the day, I decided to take the Lakefront Trail home. On one of the most beautiful days of the year, why not end the day with more of the beautiful same?

I managed to feel like I spent a great deal of time outside, when really all I did was get from one place to another, pure transportation. Yet so much more. Everyone who rides a bike, you know what I’m talking about, right? :)

Spring is such a beautiful time of year for riding a bike! Oma enjoyed very much spotting so many of her homeland’s flowers during the ride home this evening.

I put her flowered basket back on for now. I could feel a substantial weight difference with the front rack and basket today, versus strapping my bag to the rear rack, but the basket set-up is worth it for the convenience and aesthetics.

The back street route I traveled was car-free for much of the time. Such a rarity in Chicago, which is why I’m happy to go 15 minutes out of my way.

Here’s a more representative “gritty” city shot. I think I need to start adding more spring color to my wardrobe. The tulips have inspired me!

I hope everyone had a lovely week of bicycling and is ready to begin the second half of April! :)

Our friend Melissa (the one who put together the first Critical Mass ride in her old suburban town) is settling into life in Denver, where she moved partly to make living an active life easier.

Recently, BikeDenver put together a photo booth event, We Bike This Town: Portraits of Bicycling in Denver, “to create a collection of portraits of our bicycling community to help us show our elected officials and decision makers who their decisions are affecting.” What a great idea!

Attendees were given a word bubble to write down a personal bicycling slogan. Melissa, with her new Raleigh named Black Beauty, came up with the slogan: “It just makes sense!” I agree!

Other slogans I saw looking through the portraits: “Bikes make life better,” “To ride or not to ride…there is no question,” and simply “I <3 Bikes.”

I would have to go with the original LGRAB slogan: “Life on two wheels: Simple. Stylish. Fun.”

It really says something about how mild this winter has been that tonight, when I had the chance to ride in the rain in the dark, I was actually sort of excited about it. After all, I haven’t had to walk home or catch a ride home because of the snow even once!

Made me think of all those poor people who live in Hawaii or California and never have to pull out sweaters and barely open umbrellas.

They’ve gotta get bored. Change is good!

p.s. hi everyone. It’s been a while! [Insert boring computer story and other lame excuses here.] Short version: I’m back. And there’s a lot going on in Nashville that I can’t wait to tell you about.

D’oh! That’s what I said to myself as I went to lock my bike at work yesterday morning and realized that I forgot my u-lock at home in the garage. I scratched my head for a moment and then rolled Betty through the back door, up the elevator, and into my office, where she kept me company for the day.

If I were not able to bring Betty into my office, I don’t know what I would have done. It was too early to buy another lock from a bike shop, too risky to leave the bike unlocked outside, and too time-consuming to return home for the u-lock.

What would you do in this situation? Has this happened to anyone else? (I can’t be the only goof out there!)

I consider winter to be more than half-way over around this time, late January/early February. February is usually brutal, but at least I know spring is around the corner. This year, November, December, and now January have passed with only a few super freezing days and two noteworthy snowfalls that melted quickly. I haven’t even put studded tires on Oma yet.

By enjoying this extremely mild winter, I feel like I’ve gotten away with something major, like a jewelry heist. I almost don’t want to write this down for fear of jinxing myself, but I do want to celebrate making it over the hump of winter, however small said hump was this year.

Have I mentioned that winter’s finally come to Chicago? And she is not messing around.

This morning I biked to work in 15 F temps. My alley was an ice rink, but the streets and bike lanes were clear and dry. That’s good, because I haven’t put studded tires on Oma yet. I was totally comfortable throwing a puffy vest over a wool skirt suit and wool undershirt, plus cotton tights, snow boots, scarf, gloves, and earmuffs. I stuck heating packs in my mittens and boots, otherwise I wouldn’t have made it.

By the time I arrived at work, I felt refreshed and happy.

Unfortunately, the day grew colder and this outfit proved to be lacking for the commute home.

The temperature on the way home was effing cold:

For the non-Americans out there, that’s:

Plus, it was windy! As usual. Windchill of -7 F, -22 C. By the time I got home, my fingers and toes were in pain (despite the warmers) and my thighs were bright red. Not gonna lie: my spirits were low. But now that I’m warmed up, I feel good for the activity and fresh air. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Since I can bike in -4 F temps, today should not have been a problem. Now that I’ve been harshly reminded of the reality of Chicago winters, I wont be caught unprepared again this year.

Tomorrow happens to be Chicago’s Winter Bike to Work Day, but up to 7 inches of fresh snow are supposed to fall, so forget that. I won’t be on my bike, especially without studded tires. Not my idea for fun, but I hope anyone who rides has a good and safe time.

Sunny blue skies, clear roads, mild temperatures – is it April already? I’m used to the occasional brief warm up during winter, but this year winter hasn’t yet arrived at all. If the forecast is right, this will continue for at least the next five days.

Yesterday was so warm (relatively) that I simply threw a long cashmere cardigan over my dress before heading out the door. By my evening commute, the temps had increased to 50 degrees F and I didn’t even use my cardigan. And I’m thrilled to continue riding Betty Foy, who usually gets packed away for the harsh winters.

Here is a little video I made of my morning bike commute through relatively quiet side streets. Not the most interesting video ever, but I wanted to show how it’s possible to commute into downtown Chicago while avoiding busy streets and scary traffic. This is part of the quiet route that I often take, which I blogged about a few months ago here.

[UPDATE: May not work for international readers. Sorry!]

It’s hard to hear what I’m saying in the beginning and my memory card became full about 1/4 of my way to work, but you get the idea. The speed is 2.5x faster than reality.

I’m no Leslie Knope with iMovie, so please excuse the poor quality. (If you don’t get that reference, you didn’t watch Parks & Rec tonight – shame on you.)

Major shout-out to super sweet reader Ambrose, who gifted me her old bike camera mount after I posted my last ridiculously shaky handheld video. It made a huge difference. Thank you!!

The past two days, I have worn skirt and blouse outfits similar to what I wore in my last post, with a helmet, and drivers were pretty nice, but not as totally nice as before. Again, maybe it’s in my head, but it’s interesting to ponder.

For anyone who is “meh” about the Mary Poppins Effect talk because they don’t experience it – Mr. Dottie is right there with you and he’s perfectly content to ride a faster bike in construction-site work clothes, thankyouverymuch.

In an unrelated observation, the skirt below came down to my mid-calf, but was nowhere near my back wheel when I sat on the saddle. There are very few skirts that require a skirt guard, so I encourage those apprehensive about biking in mid-length skirts to give it a try. Just make sure your skirt is not touching your back wheel before setting off.

Hey, today’s Friday – happy Friday! I’m excited for the weekend because Trisha, Melissa and Erin, another friend from Nashville, will be in Chicago. I don’t know if Erin will be up for riding in the city, but I know Trisha and Melissa will be. This is when having multiple bikes comes in handy. I’ll be a mini bike share system. :)

About this blog

As two women who practice city cycling with style and think you can too, we started this blog to share our stories, learn more about cycling and encourage others to rediscover the fun of riding a bike. All opinions and reviews are our own, and we are not paid to provide them. Check the "About us" page for more details.